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Monday, 6 February 2012

Book Review - Vegan Family Meals

This book is a hardcover, which I know some folks really like, I'm not fussed either way to be honest, but it does help the book stay open when you're cooking from it so that is a nice bonus.

The layout is pretty easy to follow with full colour pages and lots of photos (for those of you who like that sort of thing you can't go wrong with this one). There are lots of text boxes interspersed with handy hints for everything from cutting vegetables to making your own almond milk. Some of these I found to be in illogical places, but as they are not meant to be read in the flow of the book this is just a little nit-picking on my behalf. Chapter and recipe introductions are friendly and chatty, but not overly involved or long. They give a backstory but are still focused on the food at hand, nicely balanced I think.

So, what did I cook from this book? In page number order (as usual)...

Page 5 -Super Hippie Granola

Would you believe this was only the second ever time I'd made my own Granola? I found this one a little too sweet. Nice and tasty, but a little too much for me.

Page 34 - Blueberry Corn Pancakes

Yum. Though a little dry - perfect for that drizzle of Maple Syrup. They also weren't too sweet so you could have the syrup with them and not be overwhelmed.

Page 48 - Tahini Vegetable Spread

Too salty for me as written. Nice, but I would maybe use less miso next time.

Page 59 - Baked Kale Chips

Again overly salty for my tastes, but really good. (First time for me making Kale Chips!!) Less salt next time is an easy fix.Page 83 - Cashew Cream

Used in the Fennel Soup - nice, though my Food Processor really needs replacing as it took forever to get smooth.

Page 84 - Split Pea Soup with Root Vegetables

For me, as written, this was too thick - more like a dal (see photo) though I did thin with water to serve as a soup it made a lovely dal too!!

Page 87 - Fennel and Roast Garlic Soup with Walnut-Basil Pesto

The pesto by itself was too salty for me, but mixed into the soup the result was lovely. Luscious and aromatic,, silky and smooth. I do love me some fennel and roast garlic!

Page 94 - Yucatan Yam Picante

Mine was nowhere near the beautiful colour in the picture in the book! Tasty and warming so this can be forgiven. Nice soup.

Nut Topped Hazelnut and Almond Bundt Cake

Does anyone read this?

Gingerbread.

Look at all the ginger in there!

Any recipes posted here are of my own devising unless otherwise stated. I will always provide credit for recipes, and inspiration, where applicable and links where possible. I would appreciate the same courtesy.